Ship&#39;s ladder.



M. J McARTHUR.

SHIPS LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.1, 1913.

1,098,391 Patented June 2, 1914,

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Y M y J. MArihur B I W 7,94%- M M. J. McARTHUR.

SHIP'S LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED 0011, 1913.

1,098,391 Patented June 2, 1914.

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int- STA SHIP S LADDER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARY J. MoARTHUn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented some certain new and useful Improvements in Ships Ladders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to ships ladders and is especially designed for marine use.

The object of this invention is to produce a ladder which is adapted to be used on boats where it is necessary for the crew or passengers todepart from or get aboard the vessel when the use of a gang-way and dock is not to be had.

Another object of this invention is to so construct the ladder that the same may be dropped from the railing or upper edge of a vessel and be suspended from that portion of the vessel and at the same time provided with means for drawing the ladder up in a folded condition when not in use.

A further object of this invention is to so construct the steps of each ladder in such a manner that there will be sufficient space between the steps and the side of the vessel to allow a firm foot hold on the step and also in such a manner as to prevent the step from tilting when the foot of a person is placed thereon.

The invention consists in the manner of constructing the body of the step of sheet metal so that the minimum weight is attained without the sacrifice of strength and also in the manner of weaving the cables through the steps for supporting the steps to the cables.

The invention further consists in the manner of clamping the cables to the steps and the manner of constructing the clamp for the purpose of employing it as a brace for the step.

The invention as a whole consists in the detailed construction of the parts and the combination of parts all of which will be hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure I, is an isometric View of the ladder showing the manner of suspending the same from a ship and also the manner of folding the same when not in use. This view also shows the construction of the suspending hook. Fig. II, is an Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 1, 1913.

Patented June 2, 1914. Serial No. 792,812.

isometric view illustrating the manner of applying-the cable to the step. Fig. III, is an end view in cross section illustrating the manner of securing and lOCkiIlg the cables to the step by means "of the braces. Fig. IV, illustrates the contour or shape of the horizontal brace showing the manner of forming one end thereof for the clamp. Fig. V, is a similar View to Fig. IV, and shows the contour and shape of the diagonal or depending brace and illustrates the manner of forming the outer end for the other clamp of the step, and Fig. VI, illustrates the manner of threading the cable through the dead eye and attaching the ends to the steps.

In constructing this ladder I prefer to form the step 1 of plate or sheet metal bent upon itself so as to form the depending flange 2 and to provide the step portions with downwardly projecting flanges 3, 3, for the purpose of strengthening the step. This construction allows the step to be made very light and at the same time this design offers a step of great strength. In the ends of the step I provide slots 4, 4, which are preferably formed so as to make a seat for the reception of the cables 5,5. A slot 6 is formed in the section 2 of the step which is provided for the purpose of retaining the cables in a crossed position as illustrated in Figs. II and III. After the step is placed in position and the cables woven through the slots as described the flange 12 of the brace arm 7 and the flange 11 of the brace arm '8 are placed against the portion 2 of the step and the cables 5, 5, are embedded in the grooves 7 and 8". A bolt or rivet is passed through orifices 11 and 12' and through the flange 2 of the step thus retaining the step in position upon the cables 5, 5. The brace arm 7 extends at right angles to the step and keeps the step a predetermined distance from the hull of the ship while the brace arm 8 also extends at right angles to the step but at the same time it projects downwardly approximately 45 and is adapted to brace the step and keep the surface of the step 1 on a horizontal plane at all times. A bolt or rivet 15 is then inserted through the orifices 7 and 8' thus making an additional means of securing the cables 5, 5, to the step. In Fig. VI, I have illustrated a special manner of securing the ends of a cable to the dead eye. In this View it will be seen that the cables 5, 5, are

passed through the step orifices 4, l, and then crossed and passed through the slot 6 in the usual manner. After the-cable ends are thus woven through the step they are embedded in the dead eye in any desired manner and the ends then passed again through the slot 6, crossed and then brought along side of the flange 2 and the clamps are secured, as hereinbefore mentioned, over the cables and thus producing an eyelet into which another section of a similar ladder may be hooked if desired.

As illustrated in Fig. I I have provided a running line" or cable which is secured to the lowest step of the ladder and passed through eyes 14, 14, one on each step of the ladder. When the vessel is under way and during a storm it is often desired to bring the ladder high above the waters edge hence this running line 13 is provided as above. Upon the pulling of this line the ladder is hoisted up, the lowest step meeting the next step and these two steps then meeting the next step and so on until the ladder is high enough or if desired until the ladder is completely folded up. The cables being flexible allows the steps to meet each other and fold into a small space. In suspending this ladder I employ a hook 17 which is made of two sheet metal sections and provided with flanges 17 on the inner periphery. The lower end of each section is bent and so folded as to form a reinforced fork 17 through which a pin 18 is passed for the purpose of retaining the upper end of the ladder, in this case a ring 19.

From the above it will be seen that I have provided a ships ladder which is strong, fire proof, flexible and light in weight while at the same time I have provided a positive locking means for the steps in relation to the cables and have made a safe non-rocking step, the advantages of which are apparent.

Having thus described my invention I Wish to claim:

1. A ladder of the type set forth provided with steps, said steps having horizontal and vertical flanges, slots provided in the ends of said flanges, said slots adapted to receive suspension cables to which the steps are attached.

2. A ladder of the type set forth comprising steps mounted on suspension cables, said steps each provided with a vertical flange, said flange having slots in its ends, said cables adapted to pass through said slots, a brace arm clamped to one side of said flange and extending at right angles to the step and another brace arm clamped to the opposite side of said flange said latter brace arm extending at right angles to said step and diverging radially from said former brace arm, the engaging ends of said brace arms embracing the cables at the flange portion of said steps, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A ladder of the type set forth comprising steps mounted on suspension cables, the lower ends of said cables being provided with dead eyes, the cables passing from said steps through the channels of said dead eyes, the ends of said cables then passing through the slots in the vertical flange 2 of the step and clamped under the clamp end 11 and 12, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

Signed at Cleveland in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio this 26th day of September 1913.

MARY J. MCARTHUR.

"Witnesses:

JOHN J. DONNELLY, ALBERT B. DONNELLY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

